Reigning champions Fortune Barishal began their title defence in a spectacular fashion, beating newcomers Durbar Rajshahi by four wickets as the 11th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League T20 got off to a high-scoring start at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today. After being set a massive target of 198 runs, Barishal found themselves struggling at 61-5 but experienced campaigner Mahmudullah (56 unbeaten off 26 balls) put up two solid partnerships of 51 and 88 runs respectively with Pakistani recruits Shaheen Shah Afridi (27) and Faheem Ashraf (54 unbeaten off 21 balls) to confirm their victory with 11 balls to spare. Earlier, Yasir Ali struck a blistering 94 not out off 47 balls while skipper Anamul Haque Bijoy made 65 off 51 balls as Rajshahi posted 197-3 in their stipulated overs after being asked to bat first.
Despite losing both openers -- Jishan Alam (0) and Mohammad Haris (13) -- to Kyle Mayers (2-13) early in the innings, Rajshahi made a strong comeback, courtesy of a 140-run partnership between Yasir and Anamul. Anamul's innings featured four fours and five sixes but it was Yasir, who struck seven fours and eight sixes, who powered Rajshahi to a strong finish. In reply, Barishal's star-studded batting line-up crumbled against Rajshahi bowlers as they lost half of their side within the ninth over.
Opener Najmul Hossain Shanto (0) was trapped in front in the first ball of the innings while Tamim Iqbal was dismissed for seven by Taskin Ahmed. Ky.
